Sarost

Featuring: Mark Sanders, Paul Rogers, Larry Stabbins

Sarost is a new trio comprising three veteran, virtuoso improvisors, all of whom have worked with countless renowned improvising musicians, and who have worked together in various combinations over the last 40 odd years, but only recently started to play together as a trio.

Mark Sanders has worked with Wadada Leo Smith, Roswell Rudd, Evan Parker and Howard Riley as well as tutoring at many of the UK’s finest music schools and conservatoires.

Paul Rogers plays an AAL 7 string bass of his own design and has been active on the European and US jazz and improv scenes for more than 40 years. He was a member of Mujician alongside Keith Tippett, Paul Dunmall and Tony Levin for many years.

Larry Stabbins has worked with a diverse array of people, including Keith Tippett, Robert Wyatt, Peter Brözmann and Jerry Dammers and formed Working Week with guitarist Simon Booth. As well as Sarost, Larry is currently a member of the quartet 137 alongside Adrian Uttley, Jim Barr and Sebastian Rochford.

Recorded in a single session, the day after a triumphant performance at the 2025 Bath Jazz Weekend, Aurora is a dazzling example of the finest in British improvised music, performed by three masters of the genre. Both live and in the studio, the music includes everything from wild saxophone screeches to the deftest of arco basslines, with percussion keeping step throughout. Bath Jazz Weekend promoter Nod Knowles described the trio’s performance at this year’s event as “absolutely spectacular” and the trio’s studio performance is no different. 

Aurora is a dramatic statement from three of the best and most respected improvisers of the last 50 years; this recording breaks new ground while doffing its hat to those who have gone before, particularly Bristolian pianist and composer Keith Tippett.